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Current Status of Massage Therapy Regulation

Massage therapy regulation in Manitoba is currently in the early stages of planning, with the regulatory body estimated to be in place by mid to late 2027.

A Transitional Council (TC) for Massage Therapists is being created by Manitoba Health, Seniors, and Long-Term Care to develop the profession-specific regulations for massage therapy and establish the new College of Massage Therapists.

Applications for TC members are being accepted by Manitoba Agencies, Boards, and Commissions (ABC) until May 20, 2025.

Transitional Council for Massage Therapists

The TC will develop the College requirements for registration, certificates of practice, continued competency, standards of practice, etc., as well as bylaws and code of ethics.

Until the College is established, the TC may appoint a registrar and board of assessors to perform administrative tasks relating to massage therapist registration. They will also be responsible for reporting to the Minister of Health.

Once the College is established under the Regulated Health Professions Act (RHPA), the TC will function as the College Council until a new Council is formed per the College bylaws.

Eligibility to Serve on the Transitional Council

Qualified massage therapists and members of the general public can serve on the TC, but board members for massage therapy professional associations are not eligible.

Members of the TC must have at least some the following qualifications:

  • familiarity with regulations and regulatory compliance
  • knowledge of health professions
  • experience guiding and conducting public consultations
  • accounting and administration background
  • sufficient technology skills to receive communications and files online and participate in meetings remotely

Apply to Serve on the Transitional Council

If you meet the above qualifications and would like to be considered for the TC, please follow the Manitoba ABC application instructions before May 20, 2025.

Specify "Appointment to Transitional Council for Massage Therapists" under the Request Consideration for the Following Agencies, Boards, and Commissions heading on the application form.

More Information About Regulation

Please see the general FAQ on massage therapy regulation for the difference between a regulatory body and a professional association and other general information.

Pre-Transitional Council

The NHPC and the Massage Therapy Association of Manitoba (MTAM) have collaborated on regulation since 2015. 

When the Manitoba Minister of Health approved the Health Professions Advisory Council (HPAC) recommendation to regulate massage therapy under the RHPA, the two associations were asked to prepare information that would support drafting College regulations.

They worked together to address the key concerns of regulation, including:

  • educational standards for applicants/members
  • levels of therapist competency
  • entry requirements
  • review of costs, expenses, and fee structure for the College

For more information on the historical work between the NHPC and MTAM, read the Joint Summary on Regulation of Massage Therapy in Manitoba (PDF).